AaronNight's recent activity

  1. Comment on Tildes Minecraft - Get hyped countdown thread in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Ok, thanks for clarifying. By the way, will it be obvious what area belong to the town?

    Ok, thanks for clarifying. By the way, will it be obvious what area belong to the town?

  2. Comment on Tildes Minecraft - Get hyped countdown thread in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link
    Last time I played Minecraft was about 10 years ago, but I never played multiplayer, and I'm very curious to try. Are there any rules/agreements active on this server? Will it make sense to join a...

    Last time I played Minecraft was about 10 years ago, but I never played multiplayer, and I'm very curious to try. Are there any rules/agreements active on this server? Will it make sense to join a week later or so after the start?

    Also I read sometimes in the comments about "reserving the plot". Is it some kind of game mechanic or just mutual agreement? How does it work?

    2 votes

  3. Comment on What makes a game, a game? in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link
    Just found two links that you might be interested in: An article that highlights problems with definitions of the term "game" A comic strip about board game that is not a game

    Just found two links that you might be interested in:

    • An article that highlights problems with definitions of the term "game"
    • A comic strip about board game that is not a game
    2 votes

  4. Comment on What makes a game, a game? in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    I didn't hear the term "serious game" before. After quick search it seems that it is "gamified" education process. Am I right in this conclusion? Regarding enjoyment, even physical pain could be...

    I didn't hear the term "serious game" before. After quick search it seems that it is "gamified" education process. Am I right in this conclusion?

    Regarding enjoyment, even physical pain could be pleasant to some people (and be turned into a game). We are weird species.

    2 votes

  5. Comment on Is this a game? | Blank Quiz, made in Google Forms in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link
    I'd like to look at the statistics after some time :)

    I'd like to look at the statistics after some time :)

    6 votes

  6. Comment on What makes a game, a game? in ~games

    AaronNight
    Link
    If I recall correctly, according to behaviorists, a game is an activity that is enjoyable (it triggers dopamine release), engaging (it holds your attention for some time), and requires some degree...

    If I recall correctly, according to behaviorists, a game is an activity that is enjoyable (it triggers dopamine release), engaging (it holds your attention for some time), and requires some degree of skill (you learn while playing). In that sense, almost anything can be considered a game if you approach it with the right mindset. That’s essentially where the concept of gamification comes from.

    That’s what I missed in this form, especially in the last section with the checkboxes. If an activity has enjoyable gameplay, then it’s a game to me.

    7 votes

  7. What indie competitive games do you play?

    ~games Ask (recommendations)
    Recently, I discovered a desire to play some small, easy-to-pick-up, not-demanding-on-hardware video games with short gameplay sessions that also require some skill to master. Many years ago, I...

    Recently, I discovered a desire to play some small, easy-to-pick-up, not-demanding-on-hardware video games with short gameplay sessions that also require some skill to master. Many years ago, I played a few games that I liked very much. But now their online lobbies are dead, so I have to discover something new. So, what indie competitive games do you play?

    I spent a lot of hours on CS2D and Altitude. CS2D is like Counter-Strike, but with a top-down view. It simplified the necessary skills for a shooter but was still fun to play. This game had all the modes from classic CS, but with small additions. I liked two modes the most: capture the flag and deathmatch with lasers. CTF mode had quite long sessions, even lasting for hours when teams were balanced. It was also fun to build turrets, walls, and spike traps, which made it possible to play a completely new class compared to CS — the engineer. The mode with lasers was fast-paced chaos that actually had its charm.

    Altitude was a 2D shooter with airplanes and a side-view. I played a lot of the soccer mode. In this mode, two teams spawned on a football field with two goals at each end of the pitch. The ball was magnetic, which helped to catch it, and you could shoot it, allowing you to pass. I liked how each class of airplane was pretty well-balanced for this mode, allowing players to fill specific roles on the team and enabling dense and fun gameplay.

    I'm looking for something similar that I can run occasionally on my laptop and that has an active community.

    15 votes

  8. Comment on What we talk about when we talk about sideloading in ~tech

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Just curious, in terms of permission control, is it able to block Internet access to certain apps? I was unsuccessfully trying to do it with Android for a long time now.

    Just curious, in terms of permission control, is it able to block Internet access to certain apps? I was unsuccessfully trying to do it with Android for a long time now.

    2 votes

  9. Comment on Help choosing a new linux computer? in ~tech

    AaronNight
    Link
    From my own experience, the most problematic component for a desktop PC might be the graphics card. If you have a specific model in mind, check if the manufacturer provides drivers that work on...

    From my own experience, the most problematic component for a desktop PC might be the graphics card. If you have a specific model in mind, check if the manufacturer provides drivers that work on the latest kernel. The second most problematic hardware is typically the Bluetooth connector. However, this is less crucial because you can always find an inexpensive dongle with Linux support.

    If you're interested in specific recommendations based on real-world usage experience, I can suggest finding (or building) a PC with the latest AMD CPU, as they offer a slightly better cost-to-efficiency ratio, and an Nvidia GPU, because they regularly update their Linux drivers and contribute to kernel development. The rest should be fine, unless you want to experiment with obscure no-name manufacturers. When I was looking for a new laptop, I chose Lenovo because they have several engineers who work closely with the Fedora team, ensuring that Fedora OS provides optimal support for their hardware. As far as I know, Lenovo also sell desktops and gaming PCs, so you might be interested in their components.

    3 votes

  10. Comment on How is Linux these days? in ~comp

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Cool! I always thought that UNIX is focused on corporative clients and selling licenses for servers and workstations. What's your thoughts on it as everyday desktop OS? What is different to your...

    Cool! I always thought that UNIX is focused on corporative clients and selling licenses for servers and workstations. What's your thoughts on it as everyday desktop OS? What is different to your previous Linux flavor?

  11. Comment on I need advice, which laptop would you buy now? in ~tech

    AaronNight
    Link
    I had a MacBook Pro 2017 (the last model with Intel) for 7 years. It was my main machine for everyday use and development. I felt that macOS was too restrictive, and as a power user, I wanted to...

    I had a MacBook Pro 2017 (the last model with Intel) for 7 years. It was my main machine for everyday use and development. I felt that macOS was too restrictive, and as a power user, I wanted to tune the environment to my needs.

    About a year ago, I decided to buy a new laptop. My final options were the Framework Laptop and ThinkPad T15 (AMD). The userbase for Framework is much smaller than for ThinkPad, so it was more difficult to find insightful and deep reviews of Framework, especially comparisons to MacBook Pro. At the same time, the community of ThinkPad users seemed divided, and their discussions often devolved into arguments over matters of taste. I was also aware of sentiment regarding quality decline, and I heard it a lot from people who had been using their ThinkPads for decades. Anyway, I decided to take a risk and buy the T15 Gen 2 AMD.

    My main concerns were the screen and touchpad, since I had never seen a laptop with the quality of these elements close to MacBook. Many online reviews also mentioned that the keyboard of the T15 Gen 2 is much worse than the previous model. Surprisingly, to my taste, everything turned out even better than my previous MacBook Pro 2017. The screen and touchpad are perfect, the keyboard is even more comfortable than the one from MacBook Pro, and performance and battery life with Fedora installed are great. One drawback though: the sound quality of the internal speakers is poor, which is true. But since I usually use good headphones, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm very happy that I made the switch and regret not doing it earlier because of my belief in MacBook superiority.

    I can recommend finding a store with physical laptops on display and checking for yourself if the materials and build quality are suitable for you. Performance is not a problem for any modern premium laptop, as far as I know. The battery life might be slightly worse than MacBook Pro. The temperature under load could be noticeable, but you should expect this from any powerful laptop. Overall, I think if you're not happy with your MacBook Pro, make the switch. At least you'll be able to try alternatives and decide for yourself how good they are.

    2 votes

  12. Comment on How do you decide when to buy a new computer, smartphone, etc.? in ~tech

    AaronNight
    Link
    Manufacturers typically provide a one to two-year warranty, guaranteeing free repairs for any manufacturing defects during this period. Most devices last much longer though. I use a simple rule: I...

    Manufacturers typically provide a one to two-year warranty, guaranteeing free repairs for any manufacturing defects during this period. Most devices last much longer though. I use a simple rule: I plan to upgrade after double the warranty period. For phones, this means 4-5 years. While your device may still function after this time, newer software is optimized for newer hardware, and you'll likely notice performance decline. I keep my old phone as a backup and check it regularly.

    Desktop PCs and laptops can last even longer. My previous PC served me for 10 years with occasional component upgrades, only becoming obsolete when hardware standards changed. My MacBook Pro lasted 7 years until it developed screen issues — repair shops couldn't fix it because they considered the model "vintage". With the ability to upgrade components, computers can remain useful for up to a decade.

    3 votes

  13. Comment on Stremio is an impressive program in ~tech

    AaronNight
    Link
    I have a question off the topic, but still relevant. I see a lot of people here recommend using Real Debrid, but do you think it is still reliable considering their recent piracy policy change? If...

    I have a question off the topic, but still relevant. I see a lot of people here recommend using Real Debrid, but do you think it is still reliable considering their recent piracy policy change? If not, what do you choose as alternative?

  14. Comment on A Tildes post inspired me to create a collaborative art project in ~arts

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Good idea! Also, it might help to channel creativity if there will be certain topic for each week. For example, let's say that this weak is about food that is trying to escape the square, or about...

    Good idea! Also, it might help to channel creativity if there will be certain topic for each week. For example, let's say that this weak is about food that is trying to escape the square, or about forest walk. I think it might help people to engage more.

    2 votes

  15. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Yes, it is a good story to start. I also could recommend Double Star and Stranger in a Strange Land. But be aware that it was written 65-70 years ago and may feel outdated.

    Yes, it is a good story to start. I also could recommend Double Star and Stranger in a Strange Land. But be aware that it was written 65-70 years ago and may feel outdated.

  16. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Thank you! I've read all the books in the series, and I think that the most interesting idea to me, the "Dark Forest" paradox, was in the last book. I feel that the writing style of Three Body...

    Thank you! I've read all the books in the series, and I think that the most interesting idea to me, the "Dark Forest" paradox, was in the last book.

    I feel that the writing style of Three Body Problem is more similar to the science fiction of classic American authors of the twentieth century. It has less focus on science and more emphasis on exploring human behavior in unusual settings. While the writing style might feel somewhat simplistic at times, the ideas presented are intriguing.

    1 vote

  17. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Oh yes, I'm kinda fan too :) I've read The Island and Giants, and as far as I understand FFR is a prequel to the series? Somehow I missed this book.

    Oh yes, I'm kinda fan too :) I've read The Island and Giants, and as far as I understand FFR is a prequel to the series? Somehow I missed this book.

    1 vote

  18. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Good point. What I particularly appreciate in science fiction is when authors incorporate cutting-edge scientific theories as foundational elements of their storytelling. The most compelling hard...

    Good point. What I particularly appreciate in science fiction is when authors incorporate cutting-edge scientific theories as foundational elements of their storytelling. The most compelling hard sci-fi doesn't just use science as window dressing, but explores how technological advances fundamentally reshape human society and consciousness. So it is definitely not about space pirates.

    Peter Watts's Blindsight (and notes at the end of the book specifically) exemplifies this approach brilliantly. His extensive research into evolutionary biology and neuroscience to develop the vampire subspecies demonstrates the level of scientific rigor I seek in hard sci-fi. While the technical details of the vampire biology may be complex, the way he weaves this scientific framework into the larger narrative about consciousness and intelligence is masterful.

    The book you mention is quite intriguing, thank you. I'll try to find it.

    5 votes

  19. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    That's cool! Thank you! I've thought a lot about what defines hard science fiction as a genre. Beyond using futuristic settings to explore humanity, I believe there should be real scientific...

    That's cool! Thank you!

    I've thought a lot about what defines hard science fiction as a genre. Beyond using futuristic settings to explore humanity, I believe there should be real scientific hypotheses underlying the fictional technologies that shape these settings. After all, that's what makes it science fiction.

    Robert Heinlein was a master of such exploration. While his books may seem somewhat outdated today, I still enjoy the human aspect of his stories. One of my favorite books is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. In this story, one of the main characters is a computer that became so complex that it gained sentience and developed a sense of humor. This computer felt empathy toward people who were surviving in the lunar colony and helped them become free from Earth's government. It's a very inspiring story.

    4 votes

  20. Comment on What hard scifi books could you recommend? in ~books

    AaronNight
    Link Parent
    Thank you for your recommendations! I've heard great things about The Expanse and will definitely give it a try. I've already read Project Hail Mary and really enjoyed it, but found it somewhat...

    Thank you for your recommendations! I've heard great things about The Expanse and will definitely give it a try.

    I've already read Project Hail Mary and really enjoyed it, but found it somewhat naive, so it didn't quite satisfy my craving for hard science fiction. But anyway, I'll look closely to what Andy Weir writes, since I like a lot of his novels.

    9 votes